Three - cng (compressed natural gas) cylinder mounting device for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

This is to the search for create the specific components for holding CNG container system on motor vehicles and emphasizes on its advantages in any aspects for the worthiness and safety to the owners of vehicles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention of CNG container jigs and fixtures for motor vehicles is based on the knowledge fields of mechanical engineering and product design.

RELATED BACKGROUND ART

For purpose of responding to Thai Government's policy which campaigns for using the alternative energy after facing the crisis of unstable oil price due to the external factors which are beyond the reasonable control. The compressed natural gas or CNG is an alternative energy that is accepted by the owners of motor vehicles, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, the jigs and fixtures of CNG containers for motor vehicles are developed and invented by significantly emphasizing on the convenient and fast installation and maintenance, including the driver's safety and economy. Moreover, it allows the country to save a large money by reducing the import of CNG setting equipment. This also provides the added value for the motor vehicle industry in Thailand so it increases the money flow in the country and allows the country to have the growth and development by relying on the existing resources and potential by the way of self-reliance.

DESCRIPTION AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention is for developing the form of installation using the techniques and equipment designed for making the specific jigs and fixtures of CNG containers for motor vehicles. The equipment will be mounted to the vehicle's frame and the gas container supporting set and it will be locked by the couplings. Drilling the vehicle's frame for mounting the equipment is avoided since the vehicle's frame has been passed the process of EDP (Electrophoretically Deposited Paint) in the factory under the automobile standard for rust-proof. Drilling the said frame may cause the consequent impact. Spraying or coating paint can cover only on its surface, not reach its inner area so any rust may occur at the hole slip. In addition, the equipment can be directly installed at the bottom of the vehicle without removing the carrier so it is convenient and fast for installation. In addition, the risks of scratches or mark on the carrier can be reduced.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This is the invention of components for holding CNG system which are sorted out by the coupling components and the gas container set to be systematically installed. These components shall be tested for the user's safety.

Processes for Assembling Single Container Set and Vehicle Frame:

-   -   1. Put two sets of couplings together: enclose them with the         frame and set its side holes in the same position as the holes         on the vehicle frame; enclose another two couplings with the         frame from the outside; thread the screw through the couplings         and screw case and tighten it with nuts;     -   2. Put the couplings together and take it to cover the crossbeam         mounted on the frame and set its holes in the same position; put         the lower coupling under the crossbeam; thread screw up through         the hole and tighten it with two nuts;     -   3. Check the tension of all screws after assembling.

Processes for Assembling Double Container Set and Vehicle Frame:

-   -   1. Put two sets of couplings together; hold the right and left         sides of the central set with crossbeam on the frame by covering         the coupling sets on the frame; set its holes in the same         position as the holes on the crossbeam; insert the reinforce         plate in the crossbeam of the frame; set all holes in the same         position and thread the screw through the holes;     -   2. Install the front bracket set of the container holding set to         be mounted at the right side; put the coupling set to the         vehicle's frame and set all holes in the same position; thread         screws through the couplings and screw cases, both upper and         lower screws;     -   3. Enclose the couplings of the right and left holding set with         both sides of frame; set all holes in the same position and hold         them with screws and nuts;     -   4. Check the tension of all screws after assembling.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As described in the section “Disclosure of the Invention”. 

1. A three CNG cylinder mounting device for a vehicle comprises a vehicle frame (1) whereas the right side inside the vehicle frame (1) connected to the cab (not shown) is provided with a single cylinder placement unit (2) having a single cylinder placement frame (20) for supporting the gas cylinders (15) whereas the single cylinder placement frame unit (20) is comprised of different parts namely the two cylinder fastening belt supporting sheets (21) fixed to the lower cylinder fastening belt (22A) whereas the left front cross member (23) and the right front cross member (24) are connected to one another. At the front of the single cylinder placement frame (2), there is provided the front bracket (25) assembled with the end of the left front member (23). On the other end, there is provided a flange next to the side edge of the cylinder fastening belt supporting sheet (21) at the right position whereas this position is a connecting point between the single cylinder placement position and the vehicle frame (1). On the back of the single cylinder placement frame (2), there is provided a rear sheet (26) assembled with the end of the left front member (23) and the right front member (24) at the right rear position of the side edge of the cylinder fastening belt supporting sheet (21). The rear tab is provided with the assembled inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) at where it is a connecting point between the single cylinder placement unit (2) and the vehicle frame (1) as well whereas all the components are assembled together by means of fixing. The device used to set the placement position of the gas cylinder (15) next to the single cylinder placement frame (2) comprises the counter slider (31A) fixed to the rear sheet (26) and has the counter slider placement bracket (30) as a supporting unit whereas the counter slider (37A) has a counter sliding rubber (38) cover thereon and installed on the counter slider supporting bracket (30) fixed to the front bracket (25) by placing the gas cylinder (15) between the position of both of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22A) having the single cylinder supporting rubber (39A) assembled with the lower cylinder fastening belt (22A) as the separator between the gas cylinder (15) and the lower cylinder fastening belt (22A) to absorb the vibration and prevent the gas cylinder (15) from slipping. When the gas cylinder (15) is placed on the single cylinder placement frame (2), two upper cylinder fastening belts (40) are fastened on the top of the gas cylinder (15) whereas the single cylinder fastening belt supporting rubber (39A) is assembled in between the gas cylinder (15) and the upper cylinder fastening belt (40) and the end of the upper cylinder fastening belt (40) is locked with both ends of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22A) at all four spots. At the bottom of the single cylinder placement frame unit (2), there is provided with a single cylinder covering sheet (35A) assembled under the single cylinder placement frame (2) and at the rear end of the single cylinder covering sheet (35A), there is provided with the valve head covering sheet (36A) assembled therewith. Subsequently, the single cylinder placement frame assembled with the gas cylinder (15) will be installed onto the vehicle frame (1) characterized in that the fixing position of the single cylinder placement frame (2) and the vehicle frame (1) at the front has a feature of a collet fixed to the right side frame (11) whereas the inside of the right frame (11), there is provided with the flange of the front bracket (25) joined with the inside whereas between the flange of the front bracket (25) and the right side frame (11), there is provided with the inner front frame supporting sheet (28) having a smaller thickness that that of the front bracket (25) separating in the middle thereof and the outside of the right side frame (11) has the outer front frame fixing sheet (50) having the same thickness as that of the front bracket (25) joined at the outside of the right side frame and has the outer front frame supporting sheet (49) having a smaller thickness than that of the outer front frame fixing sheet (50) separating in between the front bracket (25) and the outer front frame fixing sheet (50) as a right side frame locking unit (11) using the bolt (19) as a restrainer as to lock the right side frame (11) in a total of four units whereas the upper two are fixed above the two upper edge of the right side frames (11) whereas there is provided the frame locking sleeve (46A) covering the bolt (19) used and bolstered in the middle between the front bracket (25) and the outer front frame fixing sheet (50). At the bottom of the right side frame (11), there is provided a bolt (19) restraining the front bracket (25) and the outer side bracket (50) whereas the frame locking sleeve (46A) is put on the blot (19) and as a bolster between the front bracket (25) and the outer front frame fixing sheet (50) to lock the right side frame (11) as well. In the middle, there is provided another bolt (19) fixed between the front bracket (25) and the outer frame fixing sheet (50) by inserting the bolt through the right side frame (11) whereas the through hole of this frame is pre-existing--not required to perforate it again for the installation. The fixing position of the single cylinder placement frame (2) and the vehicle frame (1) at the right back has a feature of a collet fixed to the right side frame (11) whereas the inside of the right side frame (11), there is provided the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) and the inner rear frame supporting sheet (29) having a smaller thickness than that of the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) as a supporting unit between in the middle of the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) and the inside of the right side frame (11) and on the inside of the right side frame (11), there is provided a pre-existing through hole which is used to set the position of the single cylinder placement unit (2) when assembled it with vehicle frame (1) whereas the position locking pintle (34A) is fixed to the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) and the inner rear frame supporting sheet (29) by inserting it into the inner hole of the right side frame (11). On the outside of the right side frame (11), there is provided the outer rear frame fixing sheet (48A) joined at the outside of the right side frame (11) and the outer rear supporting sheet (47A) having a smaller thickness than that of the outer rear frame (48A) in the middle of the outside of the right side frame (11) and the outer rear frame fixing sheet (48A) has two bolt (19) as a restrainer of the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) and the outer rear frame fixing sheet (48A) to lock the right side frame (11) whereas the two bolts (19) are fixed on the top and the bottom of the right side frame (11) each and the frame locking sleeve (46A) is placed upon the two bolts (19) whereas the sleeve is supported in the middle between the inner rear frame fixing sheet (27) and the outer rear frame fixing sheet (48A). The fixing position of the single cylinder placement frame (2) and the vehicle frame (1) at the front cross member (13) has a feature of a collet fixed to the front cross member (13) comprising different parts characterized in that there is provided the upper cross member locking bracket leg (41) fixed to the rear sheet (26) and the upper end is fixed to the upper cross member locking bracket (42) whereas the upper cross member locking bracket (42) is placed upon the top of the right cross member (13) and there is provided the upper cross member supporting sheet (43) having a smaller thickness than that of the upper cross member locking bracket (42) separating in the middle between the upper cross member locking bracket (42) and the front member (13). At the bottom of the front member (13), there is provided the lower cross member locking bracket (45) joined at the bottom whereas the lower locking bracket supporting sheet (44) is used as a support in the middle of the front member (13) and the lower cross member locking bracket (45). To fix the lower cross member locking bracket (45) and the upper cross member locking bracket (42) to the front cross member (13), the bolt (19) is used and inserted through the front member (13) whereas the front cross member (13) has the pre-existing through hole while another bolt (19) is used to fix thereto between the upper cross member locking bracket (42) and the front cross member (13) having the through hole only at the top and the spot nut (18) fixed inside whereas all the components are assembled altogether in accordance with the aforementioned steps.
 2. The CNG cylinder mounting device for a vehicle comprises the vehicle frame (1) whereas the rear inside of the vehicle frame (1) is provide with the dual cylinder unit (3) having the dual placement frame unit (60) for supporting the gas cylinders (16) and (17) wherein the dual cylinder placement frame unit (60) is assembled from different components namely the front member (61), the middle member (62) and the rear member (63) placed consecutively with a distance for the placement of the gas cylinders (16) and (17). On the left of the front member (61), the middle member (62) and the rear member (63), there is provided the left assembled bracket (64). On the right, there is provided the assembled right bracket (65) whereas the front member (61), the middle member (62), the rear member (63), the left member (64) and the right member (65) are all assembled together into a frame. ON the front member (61), there is provided two front sub-brackets (68) each of which is installed on the left side and the right side respectively whereas the two front sub-bracket (68) is installed between the left bracket (64) and the right bracket (65). On the middle member (62), there are provided two middle sub-brackets (69) each of which is installed on the left side and the right side respectively whereas the two middle sub-brackets (69) are installed between the left bracket (64) and the right bracket (65) and on the back member (63), there are provided two rear sub-brackets (70) each if which is installed on the left side and on the right side respectively whereas the two rear sub-brackets (70) are installed between the left bracket (64) and the right bracket (65) wherein the front sub-bracket (68), the middle sub-bracket (69) and the rear sub-bracket (70) are the support the end of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) whereas twp lower cylinder fastening belts (22B) are installed inside between the front member (61) and the middle member (62) on the left side and the right side each wherein the end of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) at the front is assembled with the front sub-bracket (68). The rear end is fixed to the middle sub-bracket (69) at the front. Another two lower cylinder fastening belts are installed between the middle member (62) and the rear member (63) on the left side and the right side each whereas the end of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) at the front is assembled with the middle sub-bracket (69) at the back. The end behind the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) is fixed to the rear sub-bracket (70). At the left and right ends of the rear member (63), there is provided the assembled outer left frame locking sheet (67) on the left and there is provided the assembled outer right frame locking sheet as well. At the bottom of the dual cylinder unit (60), there is provided the dual covering sheet (35B) fixed to the lower wing of the left bracket (64) and the right bracket (65) and at the bottom of the left bracket (64) between the front member (61) and the middle member (62), there is provided the assembled valve head covering sheet (36B) and the valve head covering sheet (36C) is installed between the middle member (62) and the rear member (63). The gas cylinders (16), (17) are installed on the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) assembled between the front member (61), the middle member (62) and the rear member (63) whereas between the all four lower cylinder fastening belts (22B) and the gas cylinders (16), (17), there is provided the dual cylinder fastening belt (39B) supporting in the middle of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) and the gas cylinders (16), (17). On the top of the gas cylinders (16), (17), there is provided four upper cylinder fastening belts (40B) whereas two belts are used per a cylinder as same as in the case of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) and between the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the gas cylinders (16), (17), there is provided the dual cylinder fastening belt (39B) supporting in the middle as well. To fix the gas cylinder (16), (17) to the dual placement frame unit (3), the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) is used as a cylinder locking unit whereas the bolt (19) is used as an attachment between the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) whereas the edge of the gas cylinders (16), (17) are standing against the counter slider (31A) fixed inside the left bracket (64) between the front member (61), the middle member (62) and the rear member (63) whereas the counter slider (31A) has two assembled counter sliding rubber (38). To fix the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) of the gas cylinder (16) at the front position of the middle sub-bracket (62), the flange of the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) is assembled with the flange of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) directly with bolts (19) on the left and the right sides. To fix the upper cylinder fastening belt with the front member (61), the flange of the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the flange of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B), there is provided between the flange of the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the flange of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B). Inside this gap, there is provided the nut (18B) as a locking assist and as to prevent the bolt (19) from loosening on both left and right side. To fix the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) at the position of the rear member (63), both sides of the flange of upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the flange of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) are assembled and fixed with the bolt (19). At the gap between the flange of the upper cylinder fastening belt (40B) and the flange of the lower cylinder fastening belt (22B) inside this gap, there is provided the nut (18B) as a locking assist and as to prevent the bolt (19) from loosening as same as in the case of the fixing position of the front member (61). The dual cylinder placement frame (3) assembled with the gas cylinders (16), (17) is installed onto the vehicle frame (1) characterized in that it comprises the left rear cross member locking unit (SL1), the right cross member locking unit (SL2), the right side frame locking unit (SL3) whereas the left member locking unit (SL1) comprises the left sub-cross bracket (71) being a connector between the dual cylinder placement frame (3) and the rear cross member (14) on the left wherein the lower end is fixed to the left bracket (64) with two bolts (19). On the side, there is provided the assembled left reinforcing bracket (74). On the upper end, there is provided the assembled left cross member locking bracket (72) whereas the left rear cross member locking bracket (72) is assembled and covering on the top of the rear cross member (14). At the bottom of the rear cross member (14), there is provided the left cross member locking sheet (73) assembled within the bottom of the rear cross member (14) and a bolt (19) is used to fix the left cross member locking unit (SL1) at the top. Later, the right cross member locking unit (SL2) comprises the right sub-cross bracket (76) of which the lower end is fixed to the right bracket (65) with two bolts (19). On the upper end of the right sub-cross bracket (76), there is provided the assembled right rear cross member locking bracket (77) whereas the right rear cross member locking bracket (77) is assembled with and covering on the top of the rear cross member (14). On the upper folding line of the right sub-cross bracket (76), there is provided the right reinforcing bracket assembled to reinforce the right sub-cross bracket (76). At the bottom of the rear cross member (14), there is provided the right rear cross member locking sheet (79) assembled inside the bottom of the rear cross member (14) and a bolt (19) is used to fix the right rear cross member locking unit (SL2) at the top. Later, the right side frame locking unit (SL3) comprises the inner frame supporting bracket leg (83) whereas the bottom is assembled with the right bracket (65) with two bolts (19). At the top of the inner frame supporting bracket leg (83), there is provided the assembled inner frame locking bracket (84). Subsequently, the inner frame supporting bracket (85) having a smaller thickness than that of the inner frame locking bracket (84) is fixed to the inner frame locking bracket (84) on one stage. On the middle line of the inner frame locking bracket (84) and the inner frame supporting bracket (85), there is provided the assembled position locking pintle (34B) whereas the position locking pintle (34B) is inserted into the side through hole of the right side frame (11). The said hole is pre-existing with the right side frame (11). All of these components assembled inside the right side frame (11). At the outside of the right side frame (11), there is provided the rear frame fixing sheet (48B) assembled outside whereas there is the assembled outer rear supporting sheet (47B) having a smaller thickness than that of the rear frame fixing sheet (48B) in the middle of the outside of the right side frame (11) and the rear frame fixing sheet (48B). To lock the inner frame locking bracket (84) and the rear frame fixing sheet (48B), two bolts (19) are used to fix them together--one bolt on the top of the right side frame (11) and one bolt on the bottom of the right side frame (11) whereas both two bolts are inside the frame locking sleeve (46B). The ends of the two frame locking sleeves (46B) is supporting between the inner frame locking bracket (84) and the rear frame fixing sheet (48B), all of which are assembled into a right side frame locking unit (SL3). Later, the outer left frame locking sheet (67) is fixed to the end of the left side frame (12) whereas there is provided the inner left frame locking sheet (81) joined to the inside of the left side frame (12) and then two bolts (19) are used to fix thereto. The outer right frame locking sheet (66) is fixed to the end of the right side frame (11) whereas there is provided the inner right frame locking sheet (82) joined with the inside of the right side frame (11). Then two bolts (19) are used to fix thereto. All the components are assembled in accordance with the aforementioned steps of the invention.
 3. Jigs and fixtures of a gas container, including: a single container supporting set, couplings for locking the single container supporting set at a front of a frame, at a back of the frame, and at an area of a crossbeam, and a container fastener.
 4. The jigs and fixtures for a triple container set as per claim 1 to be used as a structure for holding one or more gas containers directly installed in motor vehicles.
 5. The form and method for installing the single container supporting set in the frame, locked by the couplings as per claim
 1. 6. The form and method for installing the triple container supporting set in the frame, locked by the couplings as per claim
 3. 